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D was indicted for having published a false, scandalous, and malicious libel upon the president of the United States, with intent to defame the president, to bring him into contempt and disrepute, and to excite against him. D pled not guilty. D published a paper criticizing President Adams stating the following: 'Nor were we yet saddled with the expense of a permanent navy, nor threatened, under his (the president's) auspices, with the existence of a standing army. Our credit was not yet reduced so low as to borrow money at eight percent. in time of peace.' D also complained that a native American had been turned over to the British for trial to be executed by a British court-martial under a mock trial, against law, and against mercy and that President Adams interfered with the judiciary to do so. The jury found D guilty.

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